"Human Nature" by Lucas Foglia emerges as a seminal work in contemporary photography, navigating the intricate and oftentimes fraught relationship between humanity and the natural world.
This series stands not only as a visual journey through varied landscapes but as a profound exploration of the dichotomy between human influence and the inherent wildness of nature. Foglia's endeavor over twelve years to document the efforts of individuals across the globe striving towards a harmonious coexistence with nature speaks to a deep-seated need within us all — a need for connection to the wilderness that sustains and defines us, even as we shape it with our presence.
Through his lens, Foglia adeptly captures the essence of this relationship, transitioning smoothly from urban to rural, from cultivated to wild, thereby challenging the traditional notion of nature as a realm separate from human touch. His focus on positive narratives — on the initiatives, people, and scientific efforts that advocate for this symbiotic relationship — is a refreshing perspective in the discourse on environmental conservation. By highlighting the benefits of nature to human health and happiness, as underscored by neuroscience, and the impacts of human activity on the environment, as revealed by climate science, Foglia presents a compelling argument for the necessity of wild spaces in our lives.
The philosophical underpinning of "Human Nature" questions the very definition of wilderness in an age where human influence pervades every corner of the Earth. This narrative is crucial, especially in a time when the concept of nature as untouched by human hands is increasingly obsolete. Foglia's work suggests that the path to conservation is not through the segregation of humanity from nature but through an integrated approach that acknowledges our role within the natural world.
The divergent views among conservationists — whether to preserve wild spaces from human encroachment or to adopt radical measures that reimagine our living spaces to allow nature to reclaim its rights — are reflected in the diverse landscapes Foglia chooses to photograph. From the construction of a rainforest in the midst of urban Singapore to the pristine air of a Hawaiian research station, each image serves as a testament to the possibility of coexistence and the imperative of rethinking our relationship with the natural world.
"Human Nature" thus becomes a visual and ideological manifesto that calls for a renewed understanding of conservation — one that embraces the intertwining of human and natural realms. It is a narrative of hope and resilience, a reminder that despite the daunting challenges facing the environment, there are individuals and communities dedicated to fostering a world where human activity complements rather than conflicts with the natural order.
